Method for displaying object in timeline area, object display device, and information recording medium having recorded thereon program for implementing said method

ABSTRACT

A method for displaying objects on a timeline area does not lower user retention and can increase the CVR. The present disclosure provides a method for displaying objects on a timeline area, including the steps of an object display device that manages a timeline of communication messages for a user of a Web service determining whether the user has taken an action within a predetermined time period on the timeline area of the Web service, displaying a first object on the timeline area when determining that the user has not taken the action, and displaying a second object that differs from the first object on the timeline area when determining that the user has taken the action.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a method for displayingobjects in a timeline area, an object display device, and an informationrecording medium having recorded thereon a program for implementing themethod.

BACKGROUND

Social Network Services (SNS), representative examples of which includeTwitter® and Facebook®, provide a timeline function. This timelinefunction allows for communication messages, such as one's own tweets orthose of people who are connected over a Web service such as an SNS, toflow chronologically.

The method of display for the timeline function is for new communicationmessages to appear in order from the top, with older messages flowingsequentially downwards and then off the screen, disappearing from view.

On the other hand, apart from a user's communication messages, a fixedadvertising frame or fixed announcement frame is established for objectssuch as game announcements, advertisements, and the like.

When a fixed advertising frame and fixed announcement frame areestablished apart from a user's communication messages, as describedabove, to display objects such as game announcements, advertisements,and the like, a problem occurs in that user retention is reduced.

In a conventional method for establishing a fixed advertising frame andfixed announcement frame, a problem also exists in that visibilityworsens due to the characteristics of the user interface, in particularon a mobile phone such as a smart phone or a feature phone, and the CVRfor business ends up being reduced. In this context, CVR is a ratioindicating the fraction, among the number of times a website is accessed(page views) or among unique users, that leads to a conversion (the endresult that can be achieved from the website, such as a merchandisepurchase or request for a brochure).

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been conceived inlight of these circumstances and provides a method for displayingobjects in a timeline area of a Web service, an object display device,and an information recording medium having recorded thereon a programfor implementing the method that do not reduce user retention and thatcan increase the CVR.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a method fordisplaying an object in a timeline area, comprising the steps of: anobject display device that manages a timeline of communication messagesfor a user of a Web service determining whether the user has taken anaction within a predetermined time period on the timeline area of theWeb service; and displaying a first object on the timeline area whendetermining that the user has not taken the action and displaying asecond object that differs from the first object on the timeline areawhen determining that the user has taken the action.

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a method fordisplaying an object in a timeline area, comprising the steps of: anobject display device that manages a timeline of communication messagesfor a user of a Web service determining whether a predetermined eventhas occurred with respect to a communication message on the timelinearea of the Web service for an application program having a timelinefunction; and when determining that the predetermined event hasoccurred, hiding any object displayed in the timeline area other thanthe communication messages for a certain time period.

A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a method fortransmitting an object, comprising the steps of: a server receiving,from a terminal that manages a timeline of communication messages for auser of a Web service, a query as to whether the user has taken anaction within a predetermined time period on the timeline area of theWeb service; referring, for the query that has been received, toinformation on a date and time of an action by the user pertaining tothe query and providing a response as to whether the user has taken anaction within the predetermined time period; and in accordance with arequest from the terminal based on the response, transmitting a firstobject or a second object to the terminal.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can provide a method fordisplaying objects in a timeline area of a Web service, an objectdisplay device, and an information recording medium having recordedthereon a program for implementing the method that do not reduce userretention and that can increase the CVR.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be furtherdescribed below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the environment in which an information device fordisplaying objects in a timeline area according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure is used;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the configuration of a server group 2in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates the configuration of a server 10 that executesoperations to implement the method for displaying objects in a timelinearea according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a database 22-1 of an SNS program 22;

FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of a mobile phone (smart phone) 4-1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a database 47-2 of a program 47-3 for object displayprocessing on the client side;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the method for displaying objectsaccording to the present embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the determination, inS5 of the method for displaying objects according to the presentembodiment, of whether the user has taken an action on the timeline areawithin a predetermined time period;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the processing in S5 on the clientside in the method for displaying objects according to the presentembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the processing when an action, suchas writing in response to a user's comment in the timeline area, istaken while an application announcement frame is displayed in thetimeline area;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a screen on the mobile phone 4-1 inthe method for displaying objects according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates screens on the mobile phone 4-1 when an action, suchas writing in response to a user's comment in the timeline area, istaken while an application announcement frame is displayed in thetimeline area;

FIG. 13 is an example of a screen on the mobile phone 4-1 illustratinghow the application announcement frame displayed in the timeline areaflows as part of the stream; and

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of screens on the mobile phone 4-1 inwhich an ad is displayed in the timeline area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings, the following describes a method fordisplaying objects in a timeline area of a Web service (including SNSservices) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates the environment in which an information device fordisplaying objects in a timeline area according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure is used.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a server group 2 is connected to a network 1,such as the Internet. A plurality of computers 3-1 and 3-2 and mobilephones 4-1 and 4-2, which are information devices for displaying objectsaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, are connected tothe network 1 (for example, the Internet) via an access point 5 or abase station 6.

The server group 2 may be implemented by one computer or may beconfigured with a plurality of computers with separate functions, suchas a Web server, a processing server, a database server, and the like.In this embodiment of the present disclosure, any configuration may beadopted.

In addition to a typical desktop computer, the computer 3 encompasses amobile computer, a laptop computer, a tablet terminal, and the like.

The mobile phone 4 encompasses a smart phone, a feature phone, and thelike, and for example operates on Android®, iOS®, or another such OS.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the configuration of the server group 2in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, for example the server group 2 includes afront server group 2-1, a database server group 2-2, and a batch servergroup 2-3.

In response to communication with the client and receipt of requests,the front server group 2-1 is responsible for formation of executionoutput of various processes that can be executed immediately. Forexample, the front server group 2-1 is a Web server.

The database server group 2-2 is, for example, a processing server thatexecutes processes forming the nucleus of the social network serviceprocessing.

The batch server group 2-3 retrieves data periodically from the databaseserver group 2-2, applies periodic processing, and records the result inthe database server group 2-2.

In the present embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation, thecase of operation on one server is described, yet as described above,the configuration of the server is of course not limited in this way.

FIG. 3 illustrates the configuration of a server 10 that executesoperations to implement the method for displaying objects in a timelinearea according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the server 10, a CPU 12, communication unit13, memory 14, and storage device 15 are connected to a bus 11.

The CPU 12 coordinates with a program 24 for object display processingon the server side according to an embodiment of the present disclosurein order to execute object display processing according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. The program 24 is stored in the storagedevice 15. The CPU 12 also performs overall control of the server 10.

The communication unit 13 controls communication with external devices,such as a client or the like, over the network 1.

The memory 14 is used for example as a work area that is necessary whenexecuting the program 24 for object display processing on the serverside.

The storage device 15 stores programs and data necessary for objectdisplay processing and is, for example, a mass storage device such as ahard disk drive (HDD), optical disc drive, DVD, or MO. An OperatingSystem (OS) 21, SNS program 22 having a timeline function, SNS gameprogram 23, and program 24 for object display processing on the serverside are stored in the storage device 15.

The OS 21 is a program for implementing the basic functions of theserver 10.

The SNS program 22 having a timeline function is, for example, an SNSprogram having a timeline function such as Twitter® or Facebook®.

The SNS program 22 having a timeline function includes a database 22-1.As illustrated in FIG. 4, the database 22-1 stores the following inassociation with a user ID 31: action date and time information 32,which indicates the date and time a user took an action on the timelinearea of the SNS with the mobile phone, a communication user (SNS friend)33, and a communication user ID 34. When there is a plurality of SNSprograms 22 having a timeline function, a database is included for eachprogram.

In this context, a user action refers to taking any sort of user actionon the timeline area, including the cases of writing a comment on thetimeline area, posting a brief remark, and the like.

The SNS game program 23 provides a social networking game. In thepresent embodiment, the SNS program 22 having a timeline function, SNSgame program 23, and program 24 for object display processing on theserver side are provided on the same platform.

The program 24 for object display processing on the server side controlsprocessing on the server side in the method for displaying objectsaccording to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of a mobile phone (smart phone) 4-1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a CPU 42, wireless communication unit 43,memory 44, electronic compass 45, camera 46, storage device 47, touchpanel sensor 48, and display controller 49 are connected to a bus 41.

The CPU 42 coordinates with a program 47-3 for object display processingon the client side according to an embodiment of the present disclosurein order to execute object display processing according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. The program 47-3 is stored in the storagedevice 47. The CPU 42 also performs overall control of the mobile phone4-1.

The wireless communication unit 43 controls communication with externaldevices, such as a server or the like, over the network 1. The wirelesscommunication unit 43 also has a wireless communication function such aswireless LAN, Bluetooth®, WiFi, or the like.

The memory 44 is used for example as a work area that is necessary whenexecuting the program 47-3 for object display processing on the clientside.

The electronic compass 45 includes a geomagnetic sensor and measuresorientation.

The camera 46 has a photography function and stores captured images inthe storage device 47.

The storage device 47 is for storing programs and data necessary forobject display processing according to the present embodiment and is,for example, a mass storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD),optical disc drive, DVD, or MO. An Operating System (OS) 47-1, database47-2 for the program 47-3 for object display processing on the clientside, and the program 47-3 for object display processing on the clientside are stored in the storage device 47.

The OS 47-1 is a program for implementing the basic functions of themobile phone 4-1.

The database 47-2 manages data used in object display processingperformed by the program 47-3 for object display processing on theclient side.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the database 47-2 stores a user ID 61 of themobile phone 4-1, retrieved from the server 10, access date and timeinformation 62, existence of a communication user 63, and acommunication user ID 64.

The program 47-3 for object display processing on the client side is aprogram controlling overall object display processing according toexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and implements theprocessing in the below-described flowcharts. The program 47-3 forobject display processing on the client side also has a timelinefunction for displaying, in the timeline area, information transmittedfrom the SNS program 22 that has a timeline function on the server 10.Among the areas displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 4-1(client), the timeline area is an area in which SNS objects (messages,an application advertising frame, a friend recommendation frame, bannerads, and the like) are displayed in order chronologically. In thepresent embodiment, the timeline area is described as an example of thearea in which SNS objects are displayed chronologically, yet thetimeline area includes an area in which objects for a Web service aredisplayed in order chronologically.

The touch panel sensor 48 is a sensor that detects a user action on thetouch panel 51 of the display unit 50 in the mobile phone 4-1.

The display controller 49 performs display control for the display unit50.

Next, the method for displaying objects according to the presentembodiment is described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 7.

First, the user of the mobile phone 4-1 launches the program 47-3 forobject display processing on the client side (S1), and it is determinedwhether the user has any friends (communication users) (S2). The mobilephone 4-1 queries the server 10 as to whether the user has anycommunication users, the program 24 for object display processing on theserver side in the server 10 searches the database 22-1 of the SNSprogram 22, refers to item 33 on the existence of a communication userfor the user ID, and transmits the result to the mobile phone 4-1. Themobile phone 4-1 receives the result regarding the existence of acommunication user from the server 10.

In the present embodiment, the case of querying the server 10 has beendescribed, yet the determination may be made by referring to the item 63on the existence of a communication user for the user ID in the database47-2 of the application program for object display processing on themobile phone 4-1.

In S2, when it is determined that the user has no communication users, ascreen for registering communication users is displayed (S3). Next, itis determined whether registration of communication users is complete(S4). When it is determined that registration is complete in S4,processing proceeds to S5.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a screen on the mobile phone 4-1 inthe method for displaying objects according to the present embodiment.In FIG. 11, G1 is an example of a screen for registering communicationusers, and G2 is an example of an initial screen after registration.

In S5, it is determined whether the user has taken an action on thetimeline area of the mobile phone 4-1 within a predetermined timeperiod. In this context, a user action refers to taking any sort of useraction on the timeline area, including the cases of writing a comment onthe timeline area, posting a brief remark, and the like.

In S5, when it is determined that an action has been taken, the friendrecommendation frame is displayed in the timeline area (S6), andprocessing returns to S2. When it is determined that an action has notbeen taken, a recommended application frame is displayed in the timelinearea (S7), and processing returns to S2.

In accordance with the determination result, the friend recommendationframe or the recommended application frame may be retrieved from theserver 10 each time, or a frame that was transmitted from the server 10in the past and stored on the mobile phone 4-1 may be used.

G3 in FIG. 11 is an example of a screen displaying the recommendedapplication frame in the timeline area, and G4 is an example of a screendisplaying the friend recommendation frame in the timeline area. Asshown in the screen G3, friends who are playing using the applicationprogram are displayed in the recommended application frame.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the determination in S5of whether the user has taken an action on the timeline area within apredetermined time period.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the program 47-3 for object display processingon the client side queries the server 10 as to whether the user hastaken an action on the timeline area of the mobile phone 4-1 within apredetermined time period (S11).

The program 24 for object display processing on the server side searchesthe database 22-1 of the SNS program 22 (S12) and determines whether theuser has taken an action within the predetermined time period (S13).Specifically, the program 24 for object display processing on the serverside refers to the action date and time information 32 corresponding tothe user ID 31 of the user that made the query, and based on whether apredetermined time period has elapsed since the last action date andtime information, determines whether the user has taken an action withinthe predetermined time period.

In S13, when it is determined that the user has not taken an action inthe predetermined time period, an indication that the user has not takenan action in the predetermined time period is transmitted to the mobilephone 4-1 (S14). When it is determined that the user has taken an actionin the predetermined time period, an indication that the user has takenan action in the predetermined time period is transmitted to the mobilephone 4-1 (S15).

Subsequently, the program 47-3 for object display processing on theclient side receives the result of the query from the server 10 (S16).In this way, the mobile phone 4-1 can determine whether an action hasbeen taken within the predetermined time period.

In the example in FIG. 8, the case of the server 10 determining whetheran action has been taken within the predetermined time period has beendescribed, yet this determination may be made on the client side.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing in S5 on the client side.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the program 47-3 for object display processingon the client side queries the server 10 for the action date and timeinformation of the mobile phone 4-1 (S21). Upon receiving the query forthe action date and time information, the program 24 for object displayprocessing on the server side searches the database 22-1 (S22) andtransmits information (user ID 31, existence of a communication user 33,and communication user ID 34) including the newest action date and timeinformation 32 corresponding to the user ID 61 of the user that made thequery (S23).

Subsequently, the program 47-3 for object display processing on theclient side searches the database 47-2 and determines whether the userhas taken an action in the predetermined time period (S26).

Specifically, based on the date and time indicated by the receivednewest action date and time information 32, it is determined whether thepredetermined time period has elapsed from the data and time indicatedby the newest action date and time information 62 of the mobile phone4-1.

With reference to the flowchart in FIG. 10, the following describes theprocessing when an action, such as writing in response to a user'scomment in the timeline area, is taken while an application announcementframe is displayed in the timeline area, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

It is determined whether a predetermined event has occurred with respectto the communication message displayed in the timeline area (S31). Inthis context, a predetermined event refers to writing a comment inresponse to another user's communication message, writing one's ownmessage, or the like.

When a predetermined event is determined to have occurred, theapplication frame or friend recommendation frame in the timeline area ishidden for a certain time period (S32). FIG. 12 illustrates examples ofa screen when the application announcement frame is displayed and ascreen when the application announcement frame is hidden due to writingof a comment.

Next, it is determined whether a certain time period has elapsed sincethe predetermined event occurred (S33). When it is determined that acertain time period has elapsed since the predetermined event occurred,the application announcement frame or the friend recommendation frame isdisplayed again in the timeline area (S34), and processing returns toS31.

Note that since the application frame or the friend recommendation frameare also displayed in the timeline area, the application announcementframe also flows downwards as part of the stream in cases such as whensomeone else posts a comment, as illustrated in FIG. 13. This differsfrom a conventional technique.

In the present embodiment, the case of displaying the application frameor the friend recommendation frame in the timeline area has beendescribed, yet the present disclosure is not limited in this way. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 14, targeted ads may be displayed basedon a user's attributes.

Accordingly, the present embodiment allows for display of differentobjects in the timeline area in accordance with whether the user hastaken an action on the timeline area within a predetermined time period.As a result, it is possible to provide a method for displaying objectson a timeline area that does not lower user retention and that canincrease the CVR.

Several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, yetthese embodiments are merely examples and are not meant to limit thescope of the present disclosure. New embodiments may be implemented in avariety of other ways, and a variety of omissions, substitutions, andmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Such embodiments and modifications are both includedin the scope of the present disclosure and included in the disclosure,and its equivalents, as recited in the patent claims. For example, thecase of a timeline function in an SNS has been described, yet thepresent disclosure may be applied to chronological communicationmessages on a Web service other than an SNS.

The means described in the embodiments may be a program capable of beingexecuted by a calculating machine (computer). The program may, forexample, be stored on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk(floppy® disk, hard disk, or the like), optical disc (CD-ROM, DVD, MO,or the like), or semiconductor memory (ROM, RAM, flash memory, or thelike), or may be transmitted for distribution over a communicationmedium. A program stored on a medium includes the case of a setupprogram that configures, on a calculating machine, software means(including not only executable programs, but also tables and datastructures) to be executed on the calculating machine. The calculatingmachine for implementing the present device executes the above-describedprocessing by reading a program recorded on a recording medium, or insome cases by constructing software means via a setup program and havingoperations be controlled by the software means. The recording mediumreferred to in the present disclosure is not limited to a recordingmedium for distribution but also includes recording media such asmagnetic disks, semiconductor memory, and the like provided eitherwithin a calculating machine or in a device connected over a network.

1. A method for displaying an object, comprising: managing a timeline ofcommunication messages for a user of a Web service; determining whetherthe user has taken an action on a timeline area of the Web service; andcausing a first object to be displayed on the timeline area in a case itis determined that the user has not taken the action and causing asecond object that differs from the first object to be displayed on thetimeline area in a case it is determined that the user has taken theaction.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the userhas taken the action includes querying a server as to whether the userhas taken an action within a predetermined time period on the timelinearea of the Web service.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining whether a predetermined event has occurred with respect to acommunication message on the timeline area of the Web service; andcausing the first object or the second object to be hidden for a certaintime period when determining that the predetermined event has occurred.4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether acommunication user exists; causing a screen for registering acommunication user to be displayed when determining that nocommunication user exists; and causing the first object to be displayedon the timeline area of the Web service.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the first object is an announcement from an application programor is a banner ad, and the second object is a recommendation of acommunication user. 6-10. (canceled)
 11. A non-transitorycomputer-readable information recording medium having recorded thereonan object display program causing a system that manages a timeline ofcommunication messages for a user of a Web service to: determine whetherthe user has taken an action within a predetermined time period on thetimeline area of the Web service; and cause a first object to bedisplayed on the timeline area in a case it is determined that the userhas not taken the action and cause a second object that differs from thefirst object to be displayed on the timeline area in a case it isdetermined that the user has taken the action. 12-13. (canceled)
 14. Thenon-transitory computer-readable information recording medium of claim11, wherein determining whether the user has taken the action includesquerying a server as to whether the user has taken an action within apredetermined time period on the timeline area of the Web service. 15.The non-transitory computer-readable information recording medium ofclaim 11, wherein the program further causes the system to: determinewhether a predetermined event has occurred with respect to acommunication message on the timeline area of the Web service; andcausing the first object or the second object to be hidden for a certaintime period when determining that the predetermined event has occurred.16. The non-transitory computer-readable information recording medium ofclaim 11, wherein the program further causes the system to: determinewhether a communication user exists; cause a screen for registering acommunication user to be displayed when determining that nocommunication user exists; and cause the first object to be displayed onthe timeline area of the Web service.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable information recording medium of claim 11, wherein thefirst object is an announcement from an application program or is abanner ad, and the second object is a recommendation of a communicationuser.
 18. A system comprising: circuitry configured to manage a timelineof communication messages for a user of a Web service; determine whetherthe user has taken an action within a predetermined time period on thetimeline area of the Web service; and cause a first object to bedisplayed on the timeline area in a case it is determined that the userhas not taken the action and cause a second object that differs from thefirst object to be displayed on the timeline area in a case it isdetermined that the user has taken the action.
 19. The system of claim18, wherein the circuitry is configured to determine whether the userhas taken the action by querying a server as to whether the user hastaken an action within a predetermined time period on the timeline areaof the Web service.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the circuitry isfurther configured to: determine whether a predetermined event hasoccurred with respect to a communication message on the timeline area ofthe Web service; and cause the first object or the second object to behidden for a certain time period when determining that the predeterminedevent has occurred.
 21. The system of claim 18, wherein the circuitry isfurther configured to: determine whether a communication user exists;cause a screen for registering a communication user to be displayed whendetermining that no communication user exists; and cause the firstobject to be displayed on the timeline area of the Web service.
 22. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the first object is an announcement from anapplication program or is a banner ad, and the second object is arecommendation of a communication user.
 23. The system of claim 18,wherein the system is a cloud computing system including a plurality ofcommunicatively coupled processing devices.
 24. The system of claim 18,wherein the circuitry is a processor of a mobile communication device,and the circuitry is configured by executing computer-readableinstructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium.